Ukraine will establish new air defense units to counter Russia’s intensifying drone campaign, following a record-breaking aerial assault and continued attacks on civilian infrastructure, the Air Force confirmed on June 2.
Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat told Ukrainian media that training for these new units is already underway across multiple regions in Ukraine. The focus will be on integrating anti-aircraft drones capable of intercepting hostile UAS, an increasingly urgent priority as Russia expands its use of unmanned systems.
“We are talking about anti-aircraft drones that help intercept air targets,” Ihnat said. “Crews are being trained in different locations… new units will be introduced.”
His remarks came just one day after Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine to date. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 472 drones, primarily Shahed-type loitering munitions, were launched overnight on June 1. Ukrainian forces shot down 210, while electronic warfare systems intercepted or disrupted 172 others. Dozens of drones still struck their targets.
The scale of such assaults means that even high interception percentages still result in devastation for Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Ihnat noted that Russian forces are now using “mass launch” tactics, often sending large swarms toward a single target from high altitudes to overwhelm defenses.
While peace negotiations remain stalled and Moscow refuses calls for a ceasefire, Ukraine is working to expand its domestic drone and counter-drone capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in late May that Russia aims to produce up to 500 drones per day.
In response, Ukraine has accelerated its own drone production, more than doubling long-range UAS output in 2024 and developing over 300 new weapon types since 2022.
However, officials emphasize that layered air defense, including interceptors, anti-aircraft drones and electronic warfare, is essential to counter ongoing threats from the sky.
RELATED CONTENT: 9 ways the war in Ukraine has changed counter-UAS
Post Image Credit: Sumy Oblast Military Administration
